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Best Adirondack Chairs in 2022 – Reviewed

Even though not everyone will know Adirondack chairs from their name, most people will recognize them from their appearance. Slats of wood form the seat and back of the chair, as well as a slate of wood for the armrest—giving these chairs a distinct look that can be seen everywhere from the decks of boats to decks to the areas around the pool. As iconic as these chairs are, however, there are differences between different models, and consumers need to keep that in mind. That’s why we’ve decided to review some of the best Adirondack chairs available and also write a guide on how a person should choose the one that best suits their needs.

Quick Summary of Best Adirondack Chairs

 Editor’s Choice 
Phat Tommy Recycled Poly-Resin Balcony Chair  (review)
 Also Recommended 
Polywood Modern Adirondack Armchair  (review)
 Also Consider 
OT Qomotop White Adirondack All-Weather Chair  (review)
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Reviews

Editor’s Choice: Phat Tommy Recycled Poly-Resin Balcony Chair

These Adirondack armchairs are designed and manufactured by a company known as Phat Tommy and are made from environmentally friendly materials. These chairs are made out of poly-material that’s not only provides the strength that people need but is also manufactured from recycled material. This chair has a weight capacity of 450-pounds, so consumers can rest assured that it will hold up to regular use. This is a product that’s manufactured in the United States and is backed by an impressive 10-year warranty, which just goes to show people that the company that makes it stands behind their products.

These chairs are 48-inches high, 27-inches wide, and 30-inches deep. This set comes with two chairs and a little side table that sits between them. This little table is just big enough for each person sitting in their chair to use it for a drink, but that should be big enough for most people. It also should be mentioned that these chairs also come in an assortment of different colors. Some sets are black, red, blue, brown, teal, weathered wood, and white. And each of them looks fantastic and adds a bit of class to any deck, poolside, or backyard space.

The one thing that may concern some people is the price of the product. And to that concern, all we can say is that this product is just a little bit more expensive than most models. The price tag for this set is for two chairs and a little table, so consumers should keep that in mind when looking at this product. It’s also backed by an impressive 10-year warranty, so consumers can rest assured that they won’t have to purchase a new chair every few years. That makes this product more than worth it and a chair set that is perfect for most people’s backyards.

PROS:

  • These chairs are backed by an impressive warranty.
  • They’re well-built and very durable.
  • They come in an assortment of beautiful colors.
CONS:

  • This set costs a little more than other chairs.

Also Recommended: Polywood Modern Adirondack Armchair

The first thing that we’d like to say about these Adirondack chairs is that they’re made from Polywood. What’s Polywood? This material is manufactured using recycled milk jugs that make the materials strong and extremely weather-resistant. The company that manufactures these chairs recycles approximately 30,000 milk jugs per hour and any scrap material that’s created during the manufacturing process is returned to the manufacturing process to be reused. That makes these chairs not only a reasonable choice for people looking for high-quality chairs but also makes it an environmentally-friendly choice as well.

These chairs are capable of withstanding a wide range of weather conditions and climates. It doesn’t matter if they’re used in the sun or the rain, during snow or sleet, or are left out in the salt-tinged breezes coming off of the ocean. These chairs won’t corrode, rust, or degrade at all. At least, not for a long time. Even their color won’t fade for a long time thanks to the UV stabilizers and inhibitors that are added to these chairs to protect them from sunlight. and speaking of colors, these chairs are available in a wide assortment of colors that include Pacific Blue, Aruba, lime, red, orange, slate grey, white, teak, and black.

If there was one problem we had with these chairs, it was the fact that they’re not easy to put together. Most people are going to want to make sure they have an extra pair of hands to get this product assembled properly. Although we’re sure that one person could do it by themselves if they were motivated enough, we think that using two people to assemble it is probably the best idea. Once it’s assembled, however, the consumer can rest assured that it’s going to last them a long time—after all, these chairs are backed by a 20-year warranty.

PROS:

  • They are well-made and seem very durable.
  • They’re backed by an impressive warranty.
  • They’re available in an assortment of different colors.
CONS:

  • They can be difficult to assemble.

Also Consider: OT Qomotop White Adirondack All-Weather Chair

The first thing that we’d like to mention about these chairs is that they’re very reasonably priced–even costing as little as half the price of some of the luxury models available. That makes these chairs a good economical model that will provide the consumer with the quality they expect from Adirondack chairs but without the strain on their budget. And to save this extra money, the consumer doesn’t have to skimp on product quality. These chairs are just as weather-resistant and durable as any other chair, although it does need to be said that they only support a person’s weight up to 350-pounds.

These chairs are so durable because they aren’t made from wood but are instead made from poly lumber. They’re made from polystyrene, a material that looks like real wood, but is rot-proof, doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, and is weatherproof. In other words, it’s a material that should hold up to most weather conditions and to regular use. These chairs are also easy to put together and have an installed size of 38-inches by 30.25-inches by 41.5-inches. These chairs have a seat width of 22-inches and a seat height of 15.7-inches and weigh 46-pounds.

Another thing that we liked about this chair was that its backrest is set at a 105-degree angle. This is an angle that most experts agree is the most beneficial for people’s back health. It’s at this angle that the pressure on the lumbar disc is at its minimum, and this can reduce the strain on the sitter’s lower back. Taking into consideration all of this chair’s features, we can honestly say that we think that they’re pretty good budget Adirondack chairs that should last the consumer many years and provide them with a solid place to sit on their deck. Our only wish is that these chairs were available in more colors than just white and that they supported larger people.

PROS:

  • These chairs cost less than some of the high-end chairs.
  • They aren’t very difficult to assemble.
CONS:

  • It only holds up to 350-pounds of weight.

A Guide To Adirondack Chairs

We could literally spend all day reviewing some of the best Adirondack chairs, but some people are merely looking for a guide on how to buy these chairs and aren’t looking for a review of individual models. That’s why we’ve decided to write a guide that will help everyone purchase chairs that are right for them and their home. Once a person knows the basics of these chairs, they are better equipped at spotting the chairs that will work for them. 

Why Are These Chairs Called Adirondack Chairs?

No one can really agree on the exact circumstances that led up to these chairs being called Adirondack chairs, but most people agree that their name comes from the Adirondack Mountains that are located in upstate New York. Some people say it was because a convalescent home located in these mountains had patients that would sit in these chairs, but other people have different ideas about how these chairs got their name—ideas we won’t get into in this guide. What we will note, however, is that sometimes these chairs are called Westport Plank Chairs because they were originally designed and patented in Westport, New York.

How To Buy Adirondack Chairs?

This section is one that’s dedicated to the features that our readers should consider when purchasing a new Adirondack chair. Features that affect the durability, or comfort of the chairs. With that said, let’s begin this guide with what the chairs are made from. 

Wood Chairs

Anyone who remembers the Adirondack chairs of the past, now that they were made of wood. Specifically, they were usually made of teak or cedar. Teak was a good material because it’s extremely durable and it’s weather-resistant, but it’s also heavier and more difficult to move from one place to another. On the other hand, cedar is a lighter wood that’s easier to move around but it tends to be easily affected by sunlight, and what we mean is that it tends to fade when exposed to UV radiation.  Wood is a material that’s not widely used for these chairs nowadays, as most people tend to choose plastic or resin for their outdoor chairs. 

Plastic Chairs

Plastic chairs are an inexpensive choice and they come in a wide variety of different chairs. This allows the consumer to express their individual sense of style and not have to worry too much about whether their chairs are going to hold up to rain, sleet, and snow. Unfortunately, this product doesn’t hold up very well to UV light as sunlight can cause it to fade or crack over time. 

Resin Chairs

The next material that these chairs are made from is resin. Resin is a material that “simulates” wood and has a little more give to it than plastic. It can also be given a variety of textures or colors to make it more visually appealing. Resin does well in outdoor conditions and usually last a very long time. 

Adirondack Chair Finishes

The next thing that the consumer should think about is the finishes that are used on the chair. Finishes are designed to protect the material that the chair is made from. Wood chairs will usually be painted or stained, and many of the plastic and resin chairs will have a special coating that protects them against UV damage. 

Unfinished Wood Surfaces

Unfinished wood tends to degrade quickly when left exposed to the elements. UV light will fade out wood, and rain will eventually degrade the wood to the point of it being unusable. The only exception to this rule is teak. Teak tends to hold up better when exposed to the elements, although it should be noted it isn’t invulnerable and most manufacturers will put a protective coating on this wood anyway. 

Wood Stains

Stains are a great way to not only protect wood chairs but also add a bit of tint to them. Most of these stains come in natural colors like browns or reddish hues, but there are darker options available. Stains typically need to be reapplied every few years to make sure that they continue to provide protection to the wood. 

Wood Paint

Wood Adirondack chairs can also be painted and that does protect the wood somewhat, although paints do tend to crack over time. The consumer can minimize this by making sure the wood chairs they choose to use a primer and high-quality paint made for outdoor furniture. 

Special Coatings

Most resin or plastic outdoor chairs have a special coating that protects them from harsh outdoor weather. These special coatings protect against UV light and help to prevent the chairs from fading. Most of the quality Adirondack chairs apply this coating at the factory, but for some lesser quality chairs, the consumer will have to apply a special coating to it themselves. 

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